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What is your favorite stevia brand?

Pick one:

Stevita

NuNaturals

NOW

SweetLeaf

Stevia In The Raw

Truvia

KAL

Krisda

Steviva

Other

What is
a sugar alcohol? Is it safe?

A
sugar
alcohol or polyol is a sweet substance that is found
naturally in some fruit and plant species in very small quantities
(often less than 1%, so don't let manufacturers fool you with
incomplete information). Erythritol,
for example, is found in berries and mushrooms, while Xylitol
can be derived from the bark of beech trees, from grapes and fermented
foods.

Mostly
though, a type of yeast
is
added to glucose or to starch to manufacture the sweeteners on a large
scale for use in candy bars, chewing gums and soft drinks. Some polyols
are also available in powdered form and sold in sachets.

Don't
confuse them with regular alcohol such as beer and wine: although the
name may be misleading, the 'alcohol' part simply refers to the
hydroxyl compounds that are used to produce the sweeteners. The term
'polyol' refers to the presence of multiple OH-groups in the chemical
structure.

They have a number of
advantages: most of them are stable under high
temperatures and are soluble in water as well, so they are god for
your favorite recipes. And they prevent the bacteria that form dental
plaque from adhering to your teeth, which is why polyols are such a
popular ingredient in chewing
gum and toothpaste.

Sugar
alcohols have roughly the same amount of sweetness as sugar, but they
are less metabolized by the body and are thus often recommended to
diabetics because of their low glycemic index. They aren't really ideal
for dieting though, as they still contain a fair amount of calories.
Compared to the side effects caused by sugar though, polyols are
regarded as a relatively safe bet, despite the minor discomforts they
may carry.

The
most common unwanted
side effects of a sugar alcohol are
linked to gastric complaints: bloating, diarrhea and stomach cramping.
Children are especially prone to these ailments, so always check the
labels if you're buying them candy.

The
low absorption rate of polyols
by the blood stream can lead them to ferment in the stomach or
intestines, which in turn leads to the discomfort you might feel from
them. The maximum daily intake of most sugar alcohols is 35 to 50
grams.

Not
every person
reacts the same to this type of sweetener, but if you're sensitive to
yeast or regularly experience bloating from eating fruit, you may want
to look for another natural solution, such as stevia, which has no side
effects at all.